List of Steelers First round draft picks, time for a Corner?

[supersteeler]

List of Pittsburgh Steelers
first round draft picks Updated: May 2012


Pittsburgh Steelers first round draft picks, since 1969:
Sources: Pittsburgh Steelers media guide, nfl.com for picks; commentary © 6thring.com


2012 — David DeCastro, G, Stanford (24) — Highest-rated guard in the draft considered sure thing for team with worst pair of starting guards in NFL. Not a brute, but signature skill appears to be pulling in running game. A Pac-10/12 player with little contact with team pre-draft.

2011 — Cameron Heyward, DE, Ohio State (31) — High-character, high-motor, reliable prospect from high-level program, had better rookie year than Ziggy Hood, figures to be team's best pass-rushing lineman since Aaron Smith's early seasons.

2010 — Maurkice Pouncey, C, Florida (1 — Widely expected to be drafted by Steelers to play either guard (initially) or center (permanently), a hit upon arrival; ran incumbent center Justin Hartwig off the roster en route to Pro Bowl as 21-year-old; 2nd season solid but marred by injuries, some games of poor line play.

2009 — Evander "Ziggy" Hood, DT, Missouri (32) — High motor, well-rounded college player brought in to address age of team’s defensive ends, unable to start behind two incumbents, played well in spots in 2010 but non-factor in 2011.

2008 — Rashard Mendenhall, RB, Illinois (23) — Worst pick of the Kevin Colbert era. Highly regarded RB prospect, surprisingly available at 23, tremendous cutting/acceleration skills, entered draft too early, somewhat aloof, not ideally physical enough for every-down NFL back, played best ball during 2010 season that helped team reach Super Bowl.

2007 — Lawrence Timmons, LB, Florida State (15) — Surprisingly drafted ahead of LaMarr Woodley; young, raw, quick-twitch player chosen for "run and hit" skills, struggled to get on field as a rookie, flashed limited game-breaking potential in Year 2. Ideally suited for passing downs, but something holds him back from stardom.

2006 — Santonio Holmes, WR, Ohio State (25, after trade from 32) — The pick, or trade-up, that delivered Super Bowl 43. Taken to replace Antwaan Randle El; played quality, if below-potential, football for two seasons, dominated the NFL in the latter half of 2008 season. Off-field incidents and concentration lapses prompted embarrassing trade to Jets in 2010..

2005 — Heath Miller, TE, Virginia (30) — Merger of need and best available athlete at 30, elite-level performer with big role in two titles.

2004 — Ben Roethlisberger, QB, Miami (Ohio) (11) — The modern pick on par with Joe Greene or Terry Bradshaw, one of NFL's greatest all-time quarterbacks.

2003 — Troy Polamalu, S, USC (16, after trade from 27) — A trade-up seeking to bolster a shattered secondary, contributed little as a rookie, major NFL impact player thereafter.

2002 — Kendall Simmons, G, Auburn (30) — Effective at tackle at Auburn, fine rookie season but never an elite talent, game declined after discovery of diabetic condition in Year 2.

2001 — Casey Hampton, NT, Texas (19, after trade from 16) — Shored up defensive line from Day 1, longtime starter, a 2-down player but one of NFL's most reliable nose tackles.

2000 — Plaxico Burress, WR, Michigan State ( — Poor rookie season, a significant NFL threat by Year 2, capable of dominating but not the most focused player, allowed to leave after quality five-year career.

1999 — Troy Edwards, WR, Louisiana Tech (13) — Massive reach for desperately needed WR, small and slow, but could run after catch impressively. Best season was rookie year, then eclipsed by Hines Ward.

1998 — Alan Faneca, G, Louisiana State (26) — Came out as junior, might've gone higher a year later, longtime linchpin of line and in the discussion for NFL Hall of Fame.

1997 — Chad Scott, CB, Maryland (24) — Total need pick for depleted CB corps on Super Bowl contender, impressed as a rookie, career interrupted in Year 2 by knee injury, an average starter for years but no impact player.

1996 — Jamain Stephens, OT, North Carolina A&T (29) — Perhaps the most famous bust in team history given round (first), size (6-7, 340 or so), small school. Barely got on the field, managed to last three years before cutting.

1995 — Mark Bruener, TE, Washington (27) — Instant reliability at TE as rookie during Super Bowl run, then receiving ability fell off a cliff. Lasted forever as a blocking TE.

1994 — Charles Johnson, WR, Colorado (17) — Draft day reach in an unimpressive year for receivers, not very big or fast, decent NFL receiver and occasional starter for several years.

1993 — Deon Figures, CB, Colorado (23) — Regarded as a bit slow on draft day, taken nonetheless, marginal pro career affected by 1994 shooting in California.

1992 — Leon Searcy, OT, Miami (Fla.) (11) — A year to get on the field, three years to impress, a free agent departure after suddenly hitting it big.

1991 — Huey Richardson, LB, Florida (15) — On the short list of team's biggest busts ever. Hybrid pass-rushing project so ineffective at OLB, was tested as an ILB/DE combo. Cut after one miserable year.

1990 — Eric Green, TE, Liberty (21, after trade from 17) — Physically, most gifted player ever for his position, enormous size, agility, and hands that caught ball like a softball; struggled with focus and off-field issues in dubious, at times impressive, Steelers career.

1989(a) — Tim Worley, RB, Georgia (7); — Big reach at No. 7; struggled with off-field issues and lacked strong football IQ, but briefly showed high-caliber NFL talent and helped team to playoff success in 1989.

1989(b) — Tom Ricketts, OT, Pittsburgh (24) — Size better suited to 1970s than 1990s; poorly skilled player for first round, probably never on the radar screen if he hadn't played for Pitt; a major bust from Day 1.

1988 — Aaron Jones, DE, Eastern Kentucky (1 — Fourth DL taken with first pick in decade, starter by default only, massive bust.

1987 — Rod Woodson, CB, Purdue (10) — Surprised to find him available at 10, very difficult to sign, legendary Hall of Fame performer.

1986 — Jon Rienstra, G, Temple (9) — Taken extremely high for a guard, struggled with pressures of the NFL, colossal bust.

1985 — Darryl Sims, DE, Wisconsin (20) — Another grasp at rebuilding the famous front four, one of the team's greatest-ever busts.

1984 — Louis Lipps, WR, Southern Mississippi (23) — Dazzling debut as a rookie WR and punt returner, fine career abruptly ran out of gas after about six years.

1983 — Gabriel Rivera, NT-DE, Texas Tech (21) — Drafted to be another Joe Greene with Dan Marino still on board. Slow start, played better after losing weight, then paralyzed in an auto accident.

1982 — Walter Abercrombie, RB, Baylor (12) — Never an impact player and never the successor to Franco Harris the team long sought. Played best football in 1984 playoffs and 1986 season.

1981 — Keith Gary, DE, Oklahoma (17) — Highly touted from Oklahoma as possible replacement for L.C. Greenwood, joined several NFL-caliber players in signing with Canada's Montreal Alouettes, failed first physical there, blaming nerves. Played two seasons in Canada, returned to NFL and finally signed with Steelers, had six-year career as marginal player.

1980 — Mark Malone, QB, Arizona State (2 — Project probably best-suited for WR; could do a bit of everything fairly well, throw, run, catch, but none of them well enough to be permanent NFL starter.

1979 — Greg Hawthorne, RB, Baylor (2 — Massive project, great build and combine measurables, likely ran "too upright" for an NFL halfback, virtually no production in Pittsburgh, hung around NFL a few years as a tight end.

1978 — Ron Johnson, CB, Eastern Michigan (22) — Effective rookie starter for a Super Bowl team but unable to sustain a lengthy career.

1977 — Robin Cole, LB, New Mexico (21) — Quiet, sturdy, effective defender who flew under the radar of the team's legendary linebackers.

1976 — Bennie Cunningham, TE, Clemson (2 — Popular, quality TE who was more complementary player than impact player.

1975 — Dave Brown, DB, Michigan (26) — Did not win starting job as rookie, taken by Seattle in 1976 expansion draft, enjoyed long career as very popular player for Seahawks.

1974 — Lynn Swann, WR, USC (21) — First WR taken in 1974, thought by some a bit slow for first round, perhaps the NFL's most spectacular pass-catcher of all time.

1973 — J.T. Thomas, CB, Florida State (24) — Drafted to unseat John Rowser at starting CB, started slowly, gradually became starter, quality career as defensive back.

1972 — Franco Harris, RB, Penn State (13) — Unofficial NFL MVP of 1970s. Said to be the choice over Robert Newhouse of Houston, first running back taken that year, legendary pick and player possibly the most effective NFL running back of all time..

1971 — Frank Lewis, WR, Grambling ( — Quality receiver but not particularly aggressive, speed demon, saved best football for years in Buffalo, 1977 trade (for Paul Seymour) a bust for Steelers, long NFL career

1970 — Terry Bradshaw, QB, Louisiana Tech (1) — Pick won in a coin flip, one of NFL's greatest prospects, and greatest players, ever.

1969 — Joe Greene, DT, North Texas State (4) — One of the NFL's greatest players, cornerstone of the modern franchise.

[Chadman]

"2008 — Rashard Mendenhall, RB, Illinois (23) — Worst pick of the Kevin Colbert era. Highly regarded RB prospect, surprisingly available at 23, tremendous cutting/acceleration skills, entered draft too early, somewhat aloof, not ideally physical enough for every-down NFL back, played best ball during 2010 season that helped team reach Super Bowl."

Worst pick of the Colbert era? How quickly people forget. Mendenhall might not be everyone's idea of the 'ideal Steeler', but geez, he's nowhere near as bad as people want to make him out to be.

Here's betting if his viewpoint on Sept 11 was more in keeping with what the majority of society wanted him to believe, then this sort of crap about him being a bad draft pick would be more muted.

[BradshawsHairdresser]

"2008 — Rashard Mendenhall, RB, Illinois (23) — Worst pick of the Kevin Colbert era. Highly regarded RB prospect, surprisingly available at 23, tremendous cutting/acceleration skills, entered draft too early, somewhat aloof, not ideally physical enough for every-down NFL back, played best ball during 2010 season that helped team reach Super Bowl."

Worst pick of the Colbert era? How quickly people forget. Mendenhall might not be everyone's idea of the 'ideal Steeler', but geez, he's nowhere near as bad as people want to make him out to be.

Here's betting if his viewpoint on Sept 11 was more in keeping with what the majority of society wanted him to believe, then this sort of crap about him being a bad draft pick would be more muted.

I don't know if he's the worst first-rounder Colbert ever picked, but forget the Sept. 11 incident, he's been a disappointment.

[NorthCoast]

I don't know if he's the worst first-rounder Colbert ever picked, but forget the Sept. 11 incident, he's been a disappointment.

I agree. For a #1 draft pick, his peak came early and blew out quickly. Not what the team wanted by a long shot.

[lloydroid]

"2008 — Rashard Mendenhall, RB, Illinois (23) — Worst pick of the Kevin Colbert era. Highly regarded RB prospect, surprisingly available at 23, tremendous cutting/acceleration skills, entered draft too early, somewhat aloof, not ideally physical enough for every-down NFL back, played best ball during 2010 season that helped team reach Super Bowl."

Worst pick of the Colbert era? How quickly people forget. Mendenhall might not be everyone's idea of the 'ideal Steeler', but geez, he's nowhere near as bad as people want to make him out to be.

Here's betting if his viewpoint on Sept 11 was more in keeping with what the majority of society wanted him to believe, then this sort of crap about him being a bad draft pick would be more muted.

Colbert has been GM since 2000. What picks were worse than Mendenhall in that span? The only one I see is Simmons. Only other possible argument (and it's too early to tell, really) is Hood or Heyward. No other picks are as bad as Spindenhall.

[phillyesq]

"2008 — Rashard Mendenhall, RB, Illinois (23) — Worst pick of the Kevin Colbert era. Highly regarded RB prospect, surprisingly available at 23, tremendous cutting/acceleration skills, entered draft too early, somewhat aloof, not ideally physical enough for every-down NFL back, played best ball during 2010 season that helped team reach Super Bowl."

Worst pick of the Colbert era? How quickly people forget. Mendenhall might not be everyone's idea of the 'ideal Steeler', but geez, he's nowhere near as bad as people want to make him out to be.

Here's betting if his viewpoint on Sept 11 was more in keeping with what the majority of society wanted him to believe, then this sort of crap about him being a bad draft pick would be more muted.

Colbert has really hit in the first round. Simmons was never the same after his diabetes, but even he started on a SB winning team. Mendenhall really only had 1.5 good seasons with the Steelers.

[Chadman]

Colbert has really hit in the first round. Simmons was never the same after his diabetes, but even he started on a SB winning team. Mendenhall really only had 1.5 good seasons with the Steelers.

While Chadman can understand that Mendenhall wasn't what people hoped for- is that Mendenhall's fault, or are we too busy trying to find another Bettis?

Mendenhall had 5 seasons in Pittsburgh. We can write off 2008 due to the broken collarbone, and we can write off 2012 due to the knee issue & what seems to be disenchantment with his place in Pittsburgh's roster this season.

2009 gave us 1100+ yards at 4.6 ypc & 7 TD's, while adding 25 catches for 260 yards & another TD. That's a pretty good year right there.

2010 we got 1270+ yards at 3.9 ypc & 13 TD's, while adding 23 catches for 167 yards. That's pretty good too.

2011 we got 928 yards at 4.1 (remembering he missed the last game with his injured knee) & 9 TD's along with 18 catches for 150+ yards.

That's 3 productive seasons there. And while we can often forgive Ben for his sacks due to the OL's ineptness, can't we attribute some blame to them for some of Mendenhall's failings?

One last thing on Mendenhall, why was he the one that had to sit a game due to the fumble-a-thon in Cleveland when Rainey, Brown, Sanders, Dwyer & Redman got to play the next week? They ALL fumbled that game away, yet Mendenhall takes the fall?

While it was unprofessional to miss standing around the sidelines that next week, one does have to wonder if there was an element of victimisation going on there too.

[supersteeler]

While Chadman can understand that Mendenhall wasn't what people hoped for- is that Mendenhall's fault, or are we too busy trying to find another Bettis?

Mendenhall had 5 seasons in Pittsburgh. We can write off 2008 due to the broken collarbone, and we can write off 2012 due to the knee issue & what seems to be disenchantment with his place in Pittsburgh's roster this season.

2009 gave us 1100+ yards at 4.6 ypc & 7 TD's, while adding 25 catches for 260 yards & another TD. That's a pretty good year right there.

2010 we got 1270+ yards at 3.9 ypc & 13 TD's, while adding 23 catches for 167 yards. That's pretty good too.

2011 we got 928 yards at 4.1 (remembering he missed the last game with his injured knee) & 9 TD's along with 18 catches for 150+ yards.

That's 3 productive seasons there. And while we can often forgive Ben for his sacks due to the OL's ineptness, can't we attribute some blame to them for some of Mendenhall's failings?

One last thing on Mendenhall, why was he the one that had to sit a game due to the fumble-a-thon in Cleveland when Rainey, Brown, Sanders, Dwyer & Redman got to play the next week? They ALL fumbled that game away, yet Mendenhall takes the fall?

While it was unprofessional to miss standing around the sidelines that next week, one does have to wonder if there was an element of victimisation going on there too.

Some good points, no matter what we think of Mendy he still was our best back often in Tomlins Dog House, while the others seemed to get a pass.

[Snatch98]

While Chadman can understand that Mendenhall wasn't what people hoped for- is that Mendenhall's fault, or are we too busy trying to find another Bettis?

Mendenhall had 5 seasons in Pittsburgh. We can write off 2008 due to the broken collarbone, and we can write off 2012 due to the knee issue & what seems to be disenchantment with his place in Pittsburgh's roster this season.

2009 gave us 1100+ yards at 4.6 ypc & 7 TD's, while adding 25 catches for 260 yards & another TD. That's a pretty good year right there.

2010 we got 1270+ yards at 3.9 ypc & 13 TD's, while adding 23 catches for 167 yards. That's pretty good too.

2011 we got 928 yards at 4.1 (remembering he missed the last game with his injured knee) & 9 TD's along with 18 catches for 150+ yards.

That's 3 productive seasons there. And while we can often forgive Ben for his sacks due to the OL's ineptness, can't we attribute some blame to them for some of Mendenhall's failings?

One last thing on Mendenhall, why was he the one that had to sit a game due to the fumble-a-thon in Cleveland when Rainey, Brown, Sanders, Dwyer & Redman got to play the next week? They ALL fumbled that game away, yet Mendenhall takes the fall?

While it was unprofessional to miss standing around the sidelines that next week, one does have to wonder if there was an element of victimisation going on there too.

Thank you. He was also a main reason for our success during the Ben suspension, basically carrying the team through those games. Mendenhall behind a cohesive offensive line has the ability to be the tailback the fan base wants in Pittsburgh. Despite all the stuff that happened this year they're still supposedly talking to him about a contract extension. He has break away speed, quick feet and size. He's played behind arguably one of the least consistent lines in all of football, add in the injuries and it only gets worse. I 100% agree that Ben gets a pass because he's had success behind porous o-lines but it's much more difficult for a RB to have success behind a porous line therefore Mendenhall should get a pass too. All of which assumes people continue to ignore the 3 productive seasons he did have and how he came out against Philly this year before getting dinged, then coming back and fumbling and promptly going to the dog house. I just hope we resign him because he's not going to cost a ton and has a lot of potential if our line can stay healthy and continue to improve. People calling the dude a bust is ridiculous....busts don't have 3 1000 yard seasons with solid td totals (the 3rd season being stopped short of 1000 because of injury which Chadman pointed out).

[Steelerphile]

While Chadman can understand that Mendenhall wasn't what people hoped for- is that Mendenhall's fault, or are we too busy trying to find another Bettis?

Mendenhall had 5 seasons in Pittsburgh. We can write off 2008 due to the broken collarbone, and we can write off 2012 due to the knee issue & what seems to be disenchantment with his place in Pittsburgh's roster this season.

2009 gave us 1100+ yards at 4.6 ypc & 7 TD's, while adding 25 catches for 260 yards & another TD. That's a pretty good year right there.

2010 we got 1270+ yards at 3.9 ypc & 13 TD's, while adding 23 catches for 167 yards. That's pretty good too.

2011 we got 928 yards at 4.1 (remembering he missed the last game with his injured knee) & 9 TD's along with 18 catches for 150+ yards.

That's 3 productive seasons there. And while we can often forgive Ben for his sacks due to the OL's ineptness, can't we attribute some blame to them for some of Mendenhall's failings?

One last thing on Mendenhall, why was he the one that had to sit a game due to the fumble-a-thon in Cleveland when Rainey, Brown, Sanders, Dwyer & Redman got to play the next week? They ALL fumbled that game away, yet Mendenhall takes the fall?

While it was unprofessional to miss standing around the sidelines that next week, one does have to wonder if there was an element of victimisation going on there too.

When you review the FA RBs available, all of them have some kind of issue. They either have too much time in the league or they have never been a workhorse type back themself. I guess people think there is some pristine back who will do everything well without an issue. Those types are once in 10 year kinds of players that don't often come around. Mendenhall really is about the best FA back there, for the Steelers. He is still relatively young at 25-26. He has been a workhorse type of player. He has good speed and is well conditioned.

If they draft someone who is well regarded and they feel confident in, I'm fine with parting ways with Mendenhall, but coming back only with Dwyer, Redman and a question mark? I'm not too sure about. If Dwyer would get in top condition, he could maybe assume the role, but I can't expect him to. He can't be Bettis and play great with a pot belly.